A Mission That Lasts

More than 1,000 Hospice of the Western Reserve (HWR) employees and 3,000 volunteers live and work side-by-side in the same neighborhoods with our patients and families. Together, we have cared for more than 100,000 Northern Ohioans since our inception. Throughout its 40-year history, Hospice of the Western Reserve has received numerous honors awarded to the agency and staff recognizing outstanding achievements in health and medicine.

Today, Hospice of the Western Reserve has almost 300 employees who have been at the organization for over ten years and nearly 115 employees who have returned to HWR. Long-serving employees' unwavering commitment not only inspires their colleagues but also fosters a sense of belonging and a shared history that strengthens the foundation of our organization. From support teams to caregivers, each member of the Hospice of the Western Reserve has an indispensable role in providing comfort, dignity, and support to the individuals and families in our care.

Laurie Mason, LISW-S, ACHP-SW, Bereavement Coordinator

HWR Employee Since 2002

Laurie Mason started as a Bereavement Coordinator with the Lorain County Office and has remained in that position for the last twenty-one years. Before working at Hospice of the Western Reserve, she was a therapist at a mental health agency, working with adults, children, married couples, and families. Working so closely with children and families in turmoil, Laurie faced formidable challenges in her role and decided it was time to embark on a new path. “My early days at Hospice of the Western Reserve were all about learning and orientation,” says Laurie. “I was seeing clients within the first couple of weeks after starting my position.” In her first few years at HWR, Laurie was in a dual role as a Bereavement Coordinator/Grief Therapist, where she would counsel families of patients and serve as a grief therapist for the bereaved in the community. In just over two decades at the organization, Laurie has covered nearly every office within our service area and has navigated many challenging situations. “I worked with the community of Chardon after the school shooting,” recalls Laurie. “A couple approached me asking if I could explain to their first grader what happened, and I’ll never forget it.” In the weeks that followed, Laurie and her fellow Bereavement Coordinators worked with individuals in the Chardon area to help them understand and process the experience. Today, Laurie continues to work at Hospice of the Western Reserve because she sees the impact of an organization that deeply cares about both the community and its employees. “I’ve stayed here because I enjoy the work and the flexibility I have in my role,” says Laura. “It’s allowed me to balance my family and professional life, and it’s made a huge difference for me.”

Leona Levine, Team Leader, Lakeshore East

Employee since 1993

When Leona started her career as a home care nurse at Hospice of the Western Reserve thirty years ago, the agency operated a little differently. “There were no computers, cell phones or pagers,” recalls Leona. “There was no GPS, so the red map books were our best friends!” In the decades that followed, she has had a front-row seat to the evolution of the agency, including her professional development. Leona began as a Registered Nurse, moving into various leadership positions, and transitioned into her current role where she oversees a primary care team of eighteen individuals. “I enjoy all of the people I get to work with,” says Leona. “I believe in Hospice of the Western Reserve’s mission and values, and I know my team feels the same way.” This past December, Leona graduated with her bachelor’s degree with the support of the HWR Tuition Reimbursement program and sees how these programs impact employees and the care they provide. Through tuition reimbursement programs and offering quarterly certification opportunities, HWR invests in professional development to help maintain a vital to a thriving, forward-thinking organization. “We have a good, longstanding reputation and a majority of our clinical staff have hospice and palliative care certifications,” says Leona. “We strive on integrity and excellence in care, and that’s what sets us apart.”

Levon Skully, Information Systems Team Leader

Employee since 1996

In 1996, Levon began his career at Hospice of the Western Reserve in the finance office tracking mileage logs as a contracted, temporary position. What was intended to be a week-long position, shaped up to be a twenty-seven-year-long career. “This was my first permanent job out of college,” says Levon. “I was doing contract jobs, so I knew what was out there and knew HWR was where I wanted to work.”  In his first days at Hospice of the Western Reserve, it felt like a small business with all the staff fitting into the Lakeshore building. Over time, Levon transitioned from his role in the finance office to a role in data systems. This path led him to his current role, where he oversees Information Systems Education, Projects, and Software Development. “I’ve stayed for our mission and for my coworkers,” says Levon. “We have a great team, and everyone works well together.” Two of Levon’s grandparents were in hospice care at HWR and he has seen firsthand how every team works together to take away the stress and uncertainty that is often associated with end-of-life care. His personal experiences have shaped his immense respect for both clinical and support staff members and knows what it looks like when hospice care is done correctly. “I am always impressed by the growth that I have witnessed during my time here,” says Levon. “I’m eager to see where we go in the future!” 

Jennifer Palmer, Team Leader, Pediatrics

Employee since 2003

In nursing school, Jen Palmers was required to pick a field to specialize in and began her journey in pediatrics. She joined the Hospice of the Western Reserve team from a previous role at Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital where she helped open a floor that was geared towards chronic care patients that needed extended stay at the hospital. During her orientation at HWR, Jen remembers feeling that this is the type of workplace environment that everyone always dreams of. “I thought it was too good to be true,” recalls Jen. “But years later, our team really is like a family.” Jen reflects on how much support she received in her role from the very start and the lengths to which the entire staff helped her feel comfortable and confident in providing care for our pediatric patients. As the agency began to evolve and grow, a leadership position became available, and Jen utilized this opportunity to demonstrate her skills. “In 2011, I also took on the team leader role for the Go Where Needed (GWN) Team and was in that role for nine years,” says Jen. After twenty years at Hospice of the Western Reserve, Jen still feels that the support of a phenomenal team has made all the difference. “I have a boss that is supportive and open to my ideas,” says Jen. “She has become a mentor to me and helped me become the professional I am today.”   There have been some challenging moments in the past twenty years, Jen shares that there hasn’t been a single moment where she regrets leaving a hospital setting and coming to work for HWR. “I am grateful for every patient that I’ve had the opportunity to care for, and I’m thankful for those that I’ve been able to work with along the way.”

Jaimee Fannin, LPN

Employee since 2003

When Jaimee started her career at Stein Hospice twenty years ago, it was a smaller hospice that was quickly growing.  “It was fun to watch the company grow,” says Jaimee. Starting as a State-tested nursing assistant (STNA), Jaimee received the training and accreditation to transition into a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) role in 2005. She has worked in several disciplines within Stein, including the continuous care team and the scheduling department, where she would become the supervisor. During her tenure, Jaimee started supervising STNAs of administrator on call and triage, but it’s her day-to-day connections with patients and families that has made a longstanding impact on her career.  “I enjoy helping patients and families with whatever is most important to them at the time,” says Jaimee. “And I love working with my team!” In the last two decades, Jaimee has seen the organization grow and evolve and knows the significance of quality care. “I can still remember some of the patients and families from twenty years ago,” recalls Jaimee.  “They are the reason we come back every day.”